Sound resonating and modulating device



March l, 1932. Q A. VOLF, JR i 1,847,285

SOUND RESONA'IING AND MODULATING DEVICE Filed Dc. 31, 1929 4sheets-sheet 1 |I ii..

INVENTOR ATTCRNEY March l, 1932. Q A, VCU--` JR 1,847,285

SOUND RESONATING AND MODULATING DEVICE y v Filed Dec. :51, 1929' 4sheets-sheet 2f WH" l; "hul lhllnf@ ATTORNEY March l, 1932. c. A. voLF,JR 4 x SOUND RESONATING AND MODULATING DEVICE Filed Dec. 31, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Y NVENTOR fsf/im,

March 1, 1932. c. A. VOLF, JR 1,847,285

SOUND REsoNATNG AND vlvIoDULMNG DEVICE Filed Dec. 51, 1929 4sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR BYQ@ Mz plm@ ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 1, 1932UNITED STATES t PATENT OFFICE CHRISTIAN A.. VOLI', JR., 0F WEEHAWKEN,NEW JERSEY.' ASSIGNOR T0 MURRAY T.

` QUIGG, OI' NEW YORK COUNTY, NEW YORK SOUND BESONATING- AND MODULATIN'GDEVICE application meareemher a1, 192s. serial No. 417,706.

`filed December 1, 1928, Serial No. 340,926,

filed February 18, 1929, and Serial No. 404,-

314, filed November 2, 1929.

The preferred form of the present invention comprises sound generatingmeans, a sounding box connected to the sound generating means, a seriesof resonating tubes suspended at different levels from a tube board,connected at the bottom of the sounding box and encased in a cylindricalcasing of material having the characteristics of glass or bakelite, thetubes being suspended' over a container adapted to hold va liquid bywhich the sound waves from the tubes will be vibrated, mingled, blendedand discharged, and the various parts of the device being interconnectedand designed to give a harmonious ornamental appearance.

Among the objects of my invention is t0 provide a sound resonatingapparatus of the general form described and claimed in the applicationsreferred to above, but which is modified in a manner to render itparticularly adapted for use as a chandelier or other ornamental ixture,whereby sound waves maybe transmitted t0 the auditorium or chamber inwhich it is used from any desired location and in any desired directionwithout requiring additional space I and without interfering with theartistic appearance of the auditorium or chamber in which it is placed.

Various other'objects of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and claims. l

My invention is illust-rated in the accompanying drawings, showing theVarious features of my invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view in elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the sounding box of the device takenon the section line 3-3 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a View of the interior of the liquidcontainer by which sound vibrations from the resonating tubes arevibrated, mingled, directed and diS- charged into the auditorium in apredetermined path or paths;

Fig. 5 is a View in elevation, partly in section, showing the preferredarrangement for mounting the resonating tubes on the pipe board;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the form of mounting shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view in eleva tion showing the preferredform of supporting means between the different levels of the pipesupporting units;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of mounting inwhich the various tubes are supported upon square sections arranged atdifferent levels, and

Fig. 9 is a plan of the form of support q shown in Fig. 8.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, my invention comprises thesound resonating apparatus designed particularlyfto provide a pleasingornamental appearance, whereby it may be used, as above stated, as achandelier or hanging fixture to produce an artistic appearance whereverit is employed.

The invention comprises preferably a sounding box 10 made of wood ofsuflicient thickness to give the desired strength and to provide thedesired resonating rop'erties, the material employed being free romknots and other imperfections which would interfere with the soundresonating characteristics of the sounding box.

The sides of the box are preferably reinforced at the corners by meansof triangular pieces or sections of wood 12 running lengthwise andtransversely of the interior of the box 'at the junction of the sideelements with the top portion and with the bottom portion thereof.Similar triangular sections or pieces are preferably employed at thejunction of the sides with one another, these triangular sectionsserving to prevent interference of the sound waves and to produceimproved resonating qualities in the casing.

A sound generating means i4 of any suitable forni may be connected to acone or horn 16 which in turn connects with a sounding box 16 through asuitable opening i8 at the top of the sounding box. At the lowerv sideor bottom portion of the sounding box 16 is a larger opening 26 in whichis a circular tube board 22, adapted to hold a series of resonatingtubes 24, the tube board being made of bakelite, or other suitablematerial, and hav# ing a sutlicient thickness and strength to hold theweight of the tubes used. The tube board 22 may be made in sections ashereinafter described, and is preferably fastened tothe bottom portionof the sounding box by means of brackets 26 attached to the interior ofthe sounding box. By the use of a sounding box 10 as shown, instead of acasing as a baflie board for the unit, the tubes 24 may be made of anydesired length, even a 32 foot tube being adapted for this construction.

The resonating tubes are preferably held in place on the tube board bymeans of copper wires 28 fastened to the upper end of the tubes, thusforming a seat serving to hold the tubes suspended from the tube boardin a downward position.

The resonating tubes 24 are preferably encased in a cylindrical casing30 of suitable material adapted to give the desired artistic appearance,such as glass, bakelite, or similar moldable composition which may betransparent or opaque as desired, and may be colored or without color asmay be preferred under the particular conditions of use. Obviously thecylindrical casing may be ornamented with any suitable form of design toharmonize with the general appearance of the device and the surroundingobjects or decoration of the chamber or room in which it is used.

The casing should obviously be made of suitable thickness so as toprevent cracking or undue vibration of the device during use and mayobviously be modified somewhat in form so as to vary proportions anddimensions as will be apparentto those skilled in the art.

The casing is preferably supported by means of a frame or ornamentalsupport 32 which may be connected by means of chains` 34 to the lower orbottom portion of the sounding box 10, the chains being preferablyattached at the inside of the bottom member 36 of the frame or support.An opening 38 in the bottom of the supporting member32 serves to permitpassage of sound waves from the resonating tubes 24 to the surface of aliquid 40 in the liquid container 42. The liquid container is preferablysuspended by means of chains 44 from the exterior of the bottom portion36 of the supporting member 32.

reunen The container 42 is preferably constructed having dimensions andform to harmonize with the sounding box l0 and the supporting member 32.This container 42 is preferably made of wood having sloping walls 46forming an angle of about with the horizontal or with the bottom 48 ofthe container. T he inner sides of the container 42 preferably comprisethe four long sides or walls 46 and four connecting pieces or shortsides 50 at the corners of the container. The chains 34 and 44connecting parts of the device are preferably in alignment, as shownmore particularly in Figs. l and 2, the chains being preferablyconnected to the various parts of the device by means of rings 52. Thedevice is also preferably suspended by chains 54 from a support 56 whichin turn is supported by a chain 58 in a manner to form a harmoniousappearance as shown.

ln the preferred form of tube mounting as shown, particularly in Figs.5, 6 and 7, in which the tubes arel arranged at different levels, theresonating tubes of the lowest frequency 24 are preferably suspendedfrom or supported on an uppermost support, preferably an annulus 60, andform the outermost series of tubes. The uppermost or outer tubesupporting member 60 may be attached to the bottom of the sounding box10 by means of brackets 26 in the manner indicated more particularly inFig. 3 of the drawings. The tubes 242 responding to the notes of nexthigher frequency than those attached to support 60 are supported upon anannular or circular section 62 at a level below that of section 60.Tubes responding to tones of still higher frequency are supported atstill lower levels, 64 and 66, the tubes of each group 243 and 24* beingarranged concentrically with respect to the tubes of the other groups asindicated more particularl in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

It is in genera preferable to employ four levels or groups of tubesarranged in the order of ascending frequency from the outer to the innertubes, although obviously any number of levels may be used.

The tubes are preferably supported in each section as indicated in thecross sectional view in Fig. 7 by means of two plates or boards, as 60and 602, having a layer of celotex, felt or the like, 603 between them.A series of cylindrical sections 68, 70, and 72, preferably of glass,may be employed for supporting the next lower supports 62, 64 and 66,extending from the upper annular section to the next lower, thecylindrical supporting boards being concentrically arranged with respectto the outside casing, so as to add to the ornamental effect produced bythe arrangement.

The cylindrical supporting boards may be of bakelite or other suitablecomposition, in place of glass, if desired, although glass is preferablefor the reason that a glass cylinder on account of its thickness, seeFig. 7 does rangement of the tubes at a plurality of levelsl andconcentrically arranged in the order of ascending frequencies, with thetubes for resonating high frequencies furthest from the sound generatingmeans, in the manner shown, it has been found that a superiorselectivity in resonating separate sound waves is obtained.

ln the operation of the device above described, sound frequencies whichare generated by the sound generating means 14 pass through the cone orhorn i6 and are disersed in the sounding box l() being deflected y thetube board 22 and passing into'the tubes 241nounted thereon` Thedeflection of the sound vibrations by the tube board 22 causes or setsup an echo which accompanies the wave of which it is an echo and servesto clarify and reinforce the original sound wave or vibration. The soundwaves which are ampiified by and discharged through the tubes 24 passdownwardly through the cylindrical casing 30 to the surface of the wateror liquid 40 in Vie container 42, the liquid being thereby set intevibration in unison with the resonating sound waves.

impact or contact of the sound waves with the surface of the water orliquid 40 sets up another echo or reinforcement which further clarifiesand reinforces the sound wave or vibration of which it is an echo, andaccompanies the vibration of which it is an echo. The sound wavesproduced with the corresponding vibration of the liquid or water in thecontainer 42 are transmitted or dispersed to the sloped sides 46 and 50of the container, and leave the surface of the water at the. point ofgreatest intensity of the vibration, namely, at the surface portion ofthe water vWhere the Water is the most shallow, the

Waves rolling up the sides of the container and discharging into theauditorium or chamber in which the deviceis suspended or used.

While the preferred arrangement of tubes is that shown in Figs. 5, 6 and7, the` modified arrangement of tubes at different levels illustrated inFigs. 8 and 9 may be used. In this form of arrangement the tubes of thegroups 241, 242, 243 and 24l are arranged in tiers, similarly to thegroups above described, but instead of being suspended from circularsupports or annuli, are supported in a square arrangement of any desirednumber of groups or tiers, the square supports 221, 222, 223 and 2.24being arranged symmetrilcally as shown. While with the circular form ofsupport the casing is referably made of glass, in the square boararrangement a glass casing does not operate satisfactorily because ofvibration and bakelite or some other suitable material is therefore usedfor the casing with this arrangement. In the square arrangement it ispreferable to have the corners of the squares, which are preferably ofwood, modified by removing a section as shown more particularly in Fig.9, thereby avoiding undesired vibrations in the construction.Furthermore, in order to protect against the possibility of distortionoccurring by reason of any crack between the boards forming this tubeboard, if wood is used, it is desirable to cover it with a coating ofbeeswax. This tube board, however, may be made of an aluminumdie-casting in a single piece or made of other suitable material.

lt is to bel understood that the device which has been described may bemade either in the form emitting vibrations in all directions or in asingle direction. `If it is desired to discharge the sound waves fromthe surface of the water in a unitary or single direction, the walls ofthe interior of the liquid container should be made perpendicular exceptat the side in the direction in which it is desired to discharge thesound waves, at which side the interior of the box or liquid containershould be sloped at a suitable angle, preferably of about 45 or somewhatless with the horizontal. lt will be understood in this connection thatin the transmission of the sound or vibration frequencies from a liquidcontainer, the sound seeks the path of least resistance, emanating fromthe point in the container where the water or liquid is the mostshallow.

ln the use of the device for ornamental purposes, the apparatus ispreferably suspended by means of a series of chains as described. lfdesired, the device may be illuminated or used for illuminatingpurposes, 110 in addition to serving vfor the transmission of sound, byembodying suitable lighting devices on the exterior portions of theliquid container or on the supporting member for the cylindrical casingsurrounding the reso- 115 nating tubes. 'lt is to be understood alsothat the device may be suspended within a chandelier or other fixturedesigned to receive it, provided, however, that the chandelier or otherfixture offers no 'obstruction or 120 impediment to the discharge ofsound waves from the surface of the water or interference with thevibration of the soundin box or tubes, as will be apparent to those s'lled in the art. i

It will be understood also that various changes or modifications may bemade in the device above described without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is: f

1. A sound resonating and modulating device adapted particularly forornamental use comprising a cylindrical casing, sound generating meansconnected to said casing, a plurality of tubes within said casing, acontainer for liquid positionedto receive sound Waves from said tubesand means for emitting sound waves from the surface of the li uidwithout interference with the sound vi ra. tions.

2. A sound resonatin and modulatin device adapted particularly forornamenta use comprising a glass cylindrical casing, a sound generatingmeans connected to the said casing, a plurality of resonating tubessuspended within said casing, a container for liquid positioned belowsaid tubes to receive sound waves therefrom and an angular outlet fromsaid 'container for emittin sound waves at an angle not greater than aout 45 with the horizontal.

3. A sound resonating and modulating device adapted particularly forornamental use comprising sound generating means, a sounding boxconnected thereto in the form of a polygon in horizontal section, a tubeboard connected lto the -said sounding bon, resonatng tubes suspendedfrom the said tube board, a cylindrical casing surrounding tbe saidtubes, a container for liquid positioned below the said casing, meansfor directing sound vibrations from the said resonating tubes to theliquid in said container and means for emitting sound waves from surfaceof the liquid without interference.

4i. In a device of the hind described, glass cylinder, acylinder-supporting member having an opening'communicating with tlieinterior of the sald cylinder, a series of resonating tubes suspendedWithin said cylinder, a container for liquid suspended from the saidcylinder-supporting member, sound generating means in communication withsaid tubes and means for suspending the said device in an auditorium ortheater, so as to have the ornamental appearance of a chandelier.

5. VA. sound resonating and modulating device comprising a casing ofnon-resonating material in the form of a closed curve in section, asupport for said casing having an opening communicating with theinterior of said casing, a series of resonating tubes suspended withinsaid casing, a container for liquid suspended from the said support in aposition to receive sound vibrations emitted by thesaid resonatingtubes, sound generating-means in communication with said tubes and chainsupporting means for interconnecting v`and suspending parts of thedevice and for suspending the said device from a ceiling orother.suitable support so as to have thev ornamental appearance of achandelier.

6. In a device of the kind described, the

sub-combination comprising tube supporting means having sectionsarranged in tiers, resonating tubes connected in groups to the saidsections, the said groups being symmetrically arranged with respect toeach other.

7. In a device of the kind described, the sub-combination comprisingtube supporting means vhaving a series of supports arranged at`different levels, a group of tubesconnected to each support respondingto frequencies of the same order, the group of tubes responding to thelowest frequencies being connected to the most elevated support andarranged symmetrically with respect thereto.

8. In a device of the kind described, the sub-combination comprisingtube supporting means having annular sections arranged in tiers,resonating tubes connected in circular groups to the said annularsections, the said groups being symmetrically arranged with respect toeach other.

9. In a device of the kind described, the sub-combination comprisingtube supporting means having a series of annular supports arrangedy atdiderent levels, a group of resonating tubes symmetrically arranged in acir cle and connected to each support, the groups of tubes beingarranged in tbe order of ascending frequencies from the outer lowestgroup of tubes to the inn-er tubes of highest pitch. v

l0. A sound resonating and modulating device having superior selectivityin the resonation of separate sound waves comprising in combination aglass cylindrical casing, a sounding bon connected thereto, tubesupporting means adapted to hold groups of 'tubes at different levels,resonating tubes sus pended from the said tube supporting means andsymmetrically arranged on the said tube supporting means, the group oftubes responding to the low-est frequencies being an ranged on theoutside, and those of the higher octaves being arranged progressivelyinwardly in the device, the tubes being furthermore arrangedprogressively at lower levels in their order of ascending frequencies.

11. In a sound resonating and modulating' device, the subcombinationcomprising `tube supporting means in which resonating tubes, adapted forthe resonation of a wide range of frequencies, are mounted, so thattubes for the resonation of the higher frequencies are positionedfurther from the sound generating means than the tubes adapted for lowerfrequencies.

12. In a sound resonating and modulating device, the subcombinationcomprising tube supporting means in which resonating tubes aresymmetrically mounted thereon so that the tubes of shorter lengthresponsive to higher frequencies are positioned further from the soundgenerating means than thel tubes adapted for lower frequencies.

' 13. In a sound resonating and modulating device, the subcombinationcomprising a sound generating means, and tube supporting means aving agroup of symmetrically ars ranged resonatin tubes adapted for theresonation of soun s through a wide range of frequencies, the tubesbeing mounted at different levels so that those responsive to hi hfrequencies are positioned further from t e sound generating means thantubes adapted for the lower frequencies. i f

14. In a device of the kind described, in combination, a plurality ofopen-ended tubes arranged in roups at different levels, a casu, ingsurroun 'ng the tubes, and sound generating means substantially in linewith the tubes so as to project sound, waves directly into the open endsof the tubes, the sound waves being resonated through the tubes and zoprojected out of the opposite ends thereof.

' vIn testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

CHRISTIAN A. VOLF, Jn.

